OSHA’s Top Violations in 2018

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspects workplaces each year to guarantee safety in the workplace. In 2018, OSHA published a list of their frequently violated standards to encourage workplaces to be proactive and prevent future citations. The list totals out to 31,816 violations.

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501), with 7,270 violations
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200), with 4,552 violations
3. Scaffolding (1926.451), with 3,336 violations
4. Respiratory Protection (1910.134), with 3,118 violations
5. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147), with 2,944 violations
6. Ladders (1926.1053), with 2,812 violations
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178), with 2,294 violations
8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503), with 1,982 violations
9. Machine Guarding (1910.212), with 1,972 violations
10. Eye and Face Protection (1926.102), with 1,536 violations

Most of the violations show an increase over 2017. Machine guarding and Electrical Wiring Warnings are the only decreases. 

Compliance in the workplace can save the company money by preventing injuries that cost the employer employee compensation and employee loss. Employers are encouraged to address compliance issues by utilizing safety and education tools that help communicate hazards.